From pilates to HIIT sessions and strength training, exercise is a non-negotiable in my weekly routine, and the best gym bags make organising my day and hitting my fitness goals a whole lot easier — and more stylish.
But when I’m running from hot yoga to the sauna, I need somewhere to put my damp gym clothes without it soaking the rest of my things. Or for a commuter day in the office followed by a barre class — where bulky items like trainers aren’t necessary — sometimes I want a slouchy bag that doesn’t look like a workout bag at all, but also has space for my laptop.
Whatever your schedule looks like, you’ll need something lightweight, ideally with a compartmentalised interior for good organisation and plenty of room for the essentials — your workout clothes, gym trainers or running shoes, beloved sports bra and your emotional support water bottle.
But to track down the very best gym bags, I tried a range of different styles — from spacious backpacks and gym duffle bags to compact travel bags, and elegant totes. Plus, I spoke to design experts on what key details I should be looking for. So, read on to find out which gym bags I’ve labelled the very best for 2026. And if you’re after something else, I’ve road-tested laptop backpacks and work bags, too. You’re welcome.
How I test the best gym bags:
To see how the best gym bags fared in real-life settings, I used each for at least three days. I took them to sweaty hot yoga sessions, reformer classes, and used them on long days where I needed to carry my laptop, gym kit and water at once.
When reviewing each bag, we considered them against the following criteria:
For those we haven’t yet recieved a sample, we asked industry experts whether the pairs selected would get their stamp of approval, and read countless customer reviews.
Why you can trust me: Cat Hufton
I’m an experienced lifestyle journalist who has tested hundreds of products in my quest to find those worthy of your hard-earned money. I became particularly interested in wellness and health after having children seven years ago, and I needed a little extra helping hand in feeling my best. Yoga and Pilates has become a personal passion of mine over the past few years – not only because of its physical benefits but its huge impact on my overall wellbeing and mental health.
As such, I’ve spoken to countless industry experts, tested a wide variety of wellness products, and become pretty astute at knowing what really makes a difference to that all-important fitness routine.